Toilet tissue dispensing mandrel

ABSTRACT

A toilet tissue dispensing mandrel supported for limited rotation in a mounting frame, the dispensing mandrel having a molded end fitting slidably supporting a J-shaped member forming a journal pin and a push pin in parallel relation. A spring engages the J-shaped member to urge the journal pin outwardly from the mandrel, the push pin being accessible only through a small aperture shaped to receive a key for the purpose of retracting the journal pin, thereby to minimize pilfering the mandrel and the toilet tissue, if any, thereon. The mounting frame forms a bearing socket for the journal pin, and guide approaching the bearing socket to aid placement of the journal pin therein. The opposite side of the mounting frame having a similar guide and bearing socket for a second journal pin fixed with respect to the mandrel and cooperating stop means are provided to limit rotational movement of the mandrel.

United States Patent [191 Brinton Mar. 18, 1975 TOTLET TISSUE DTSPENSTNG MANDREL [75] Inventor: William Brinton, Northridge, Calif.

[73] Assignee: The Bobrick Corporation, North Hollywood, Calif.

[22] Filed: Feb. 19, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 443,402

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1968 Peterson 242/5553 2/1972 Curtin ..242/55.2

Primary ExaminerLeonard D. Christian Attorney, Agent, or FirmLyon & Lyon [57] ABSTRACT A toilet tissue dispensing mandrel supported for limited rotation in a mounting frame, the dispensing mandrel having a molded end fitting slidably supporting a J-shaped member forming a journal pin and a push pin in parallel relation. A spring engages the J-shaped member to urge the journal pin. outwardly from the mandrel, the push pin being accessible only through a small aperture shaped to receive a key for the purpose of retracting the journal pin, thereby to minimize pilfering the mandrel and the toilet tissue, if any, thereon. The mounting frame forms a bearing socket for the journal pin, and guide approaching the bearing socket to aid placement of the journal pin therein. The opposite side of the mounting frame having a similar guide and bearing socket for a second journal pin fixed with respect to the mandrel and cooperating stop means are provided to limit rotational movement of the mandrel.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures TOILET TISSUE DISPENSING MANDIREL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Waste of toilet tissue and theft of tissue carrying mandrels poses a major problem in the maintenance of a toilet tissue supply in public rest rooms. Waste of toilet tissue is minimized by use of a mandrel which en gages a stop when rotated about three-fourths of a turn. However such mandrels are more expensive; than, for example a plain mandrel such as a wooden or tubular plastic dowel. Also, it is desirable in order to minimize waste of toilet tissue that the roll of tissue not be readily removed as a unit from the mandrel. To accomplish this, involves a latching means requiring a special tool or key, also adding to the expense of the mandrel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a toilet tissue dispensing mandrel which may be manufactured at minimal cost, while accomplishing the desired saving in toilet tissue waste as well as minimizing pilfering of the mandrel, and is summarized in the following objects:

First, to provide a toilet tissue dispensing mandrel wherein an interconnected spring biased journal pin and push pin are disposed in parallel relation and are axially slidable in a molded member fitted in an end of the mandrel, the push pin being accessible for engagement only through an opening requiring a special tool or key to retract the journal pin for removal of the mandrel from a holder and replacement with a new roll of tissue.

Second, to provide a toilet tissue dispensing mandrel, as indicated in the previous object, wherein the opposite end of the mandrel and the holder are provided with stops to limit pivotal movement of the mandrel to prevent excess removal of tissue.

Third, to provide a toilet tissue dispensing mandrel and holder therefore, as indicated in the other objects which incorporates a novel means to aid guidance of the journal pins into their respective sockets.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a plan view of the toilet tissue dispensing mandrel, the supporting bracket therefore being shown fragmentarily.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the mandrel taken through 2-2 of FIG. I and illustrating particularly the stop means for limiting rotational movement of the mandrel.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken through 3-3 of FIG. I showing the retractable journal means.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the mandrel showing the retractable journal pin and the access opening for retraction thereof.

The toilet tissue dispensing mandrel is intended to be mounted between a holder or bracket having a pair of supporting arms 1 in which are formed aligned journal sockets 2 and 3. Surrounding each journal socket is a recessed area 4 and within the recessed area there is a sloping triangular guide area 5 terminating at the corresponding journal socket 2 or 3.

The toilet tissue dispensing mandrel includes a tubular sleeve 6 preferably of eliptical cross-section, the

ends of which receive end fittings 7 and 8. Each fitting includes a sleeve receiving extension 9 corresponding in shape to the sleeve and adapted to be inserted therein. If desired, the extensions may be cemented in place. Each fitting also includes an abutment shoulder 10 to limit movement of the sleeve onto the extensions The end fitting 7 is provided with a stop flange I1 projecting beyond the surface of the sleeve whereas the end fitting 8 is equal in dimension to the sleeve 6 so that a roll of toilet paper may be slipped over the sleeve 6. In doing so, the normally circular or cylindrical core of the conventional tissue roll is distorted to an oval shape conforming to the sleeve 6 and thereby locked against rotation relative to the sleeve.

Each end fitting is provided with offset tapered bosses 12. The end fitting 7 includes an integral journal boss I3 which is received in the journal socket 2. The end fitting 7 is also provided with a stop lug 14 at one side of the journal boss I3 and a corresponding bracket arm I is provided with a stop pin I5 as shown in FIG. 2 so as to limit rotation of the mandrel.

The end fitting 8 is provided with a journal pin bore I6 disposed in alignment with the journal boss I3. Offset from the journal pin bore 16 in parallel relation therewith is a push pin bore I7 which communicates with the end surface of the end fitting at one side of its tapered boss 12 to form a key or tool slot 18. The inner end of the end fitting 8 is provided between the bores I6 and 17 with a stop web I9. Also the end fitting 8 is provided on either side of the journal pin bore I6 with a pair of spring receiving sockets 20.

The end fitting 8 receives a J-shaped slide member 21 having a journal pin 22 slidably fitting the bore I6; a push pin 23 slidably fitting the bore I7 and a connecting cross bar 241.

A spring 25 is mounted so as to exert an outward force on the slide member. The spring includes a loop midportion 26 fitting over the cross bar 24, coil portions 27 at either side thereof and end portions 28 received in the sockets 20. The end portions are provided with hooked extremities 29 which engage the walls of the sockets 20 to retain the spring in place. The spring 25 exerts an outward force on the cross bar 24 urging the cross bar against the stop web I9. A notch 30 may be provided on the cross bar to receive the midportion 26 and thus tends to limit inward movement of the slide member.

Operation of the toilet tissue dispensing mandrel is as follows:

To install the mandrel with a roll of toilet tissue thereon, it is merely necessary to insert the journal boss 13 into its socket 2 whereupon the journal pin 22 is manually pressed inward and guided into the guide area 5 corresponding to the journal socket 3. The mandrel is then manipulated until the journal pin 22 is received in its socket. The journal boss 13 and its socket is preferably larger than the journal pin 32 and its socket so that the mandrel will be properly placed in the holder or bracket.

The stop lug l4 and stop pin 15 prevent excessive rotation of the mandrel so as to discourage the removal of excess tissue.

When the tissue roll is depleted an appropriate key or other implement, not shown, is inserted in the slot 18 causing the slide member 21 to move inwardly until the journal pin 22 is free of its socket 3 whereupon the mandrel may be removed for replacement of a tissue roll.

Having fully described my invention it is to be understood that I am not to be limited to the details herein set forth, but that my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a bracket member having parallel arms and aligned bearing sockets, ofa toilet tissue dispensing mandrel, comprising:

a. a sleeve extending between the bracket arms;

b. means journalling one end of the sleeve in one of the bearing sockets;

c. an end fitting for the other end of the sleeve including parallel guide bores, one bore being in axial alignment with the journal means, the other being offset therefrom;

d. a slide member including a journal pin and an operating pin, slidable in the guide bores, and means operatively connecting the pins, the journal pin being movable between an extended position for reception in the other bearing socket to define the axis of rotation of the fitting and sleeve, and a retracted position clearing the bearing socket to permit removal and replacement of the mandrel, the operating pin being accessible for end engagement to effect retraction of the journal pin;

e. and yieldable means for urging the slide member in a direction to extend the journal pin.

2. A tissue dispensing mandrel as defined in claim 1,

wherein:

a. the operating pin bore terminates in an instrument receiving slot partially concealing the operating pin, thereby to minimize unauthorized removal of the mandrel.

3. A tissue dispensing mandrel as defined in claim 1,

wherein:

a. the journalling means, end fitting and sleeve are in axial aspect of oval configuration and the journal axis is offset from the center thereof;

b. and the operating pin bore is offset in the opposite direction from the center thereof thereby to clear the bracket member for access to the operating pin bore.

4. A tissue dispensing mandrel as defined in claim 1,

wherein:

a. the end fitting includes a stop engaging the pin connecting means to determine the extended position of the journal pin.

5. A tissue dispensing mandrel as defined in claim I,

wherein:

a. the yieldable means is a spring having a midportion engaging the pin, coiled intermediate portions and extended portions anchored in the fitting.

6. A tissue dispensing mandrel, as defined in claim 1,

wherein:

a. the slide member including the pins and connecting means is a J-shaped rod. 7. The combination with a bracket member having parallel arms and aligned bearing sockets, of a toilet tissue dispensing mandrel, comprising:

a. a sleeve extending between the bracket arms;

b. means journalling one end of the sleeve in one of the bearing sockets;

c. an end fitting for the other end of the sleeve including a guide bore disposed in alignment with the journal means;

d. a slide member including a journal pin slidable in the guide bore and means offset from the axis of the journal pin and accessible from the exterior of the mandrel for moving the journal pin between an extended position for reception in the other bearing socket to define the axis of rotation of the fitting and sleeve, and a retracted position clearing the bearing socket to permit removal and replacement of the mandrel;

e. and yieldable means for urging the slide member in a direction to extend the journal pin. 

1. The combination with a bracket member having parallel arms and aligned bearing sockets, of a toilet tissue dispensing mandrel, comprising: a. a sleeve extending between the bracket arms; b. means journalling one end of the sleeve in one of the bearing sockets; c. an end fitting for the other end of the sleeve including parallel guide bores, one bore being in axial alignment with the journal means, the other being offset therefrom; d. a slide member including a journal pin and an operating pin, slidable in the guide bores, and means operatively connecting the pins, the journal pin being movable between an extended position for reception in the other bearing socket to define the axis of rotation of the fitting and sleeve, and a retracted position clearing the bearing socket to permit removal and replacement of the mandrel, the operating pin being accessible for end engagement to effect retraction of the journal pin; e. and yieldable means for urging the slide member in a direction to extend the journal pin.
 2. A tissue dispensing mandrel as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the operating pin bore terminates in an instrument receiving slot partially concealing the operating pin, thereby to minimize unauthorized removal of the mandrel.
 3. A tissue dispensing mandrel as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the journalling means, end fitting and sleeve are in axial aspect of oval configuration and the journal axis is offset from the center thereof; b. and the operating pin bore is offset in the opposite direction from the center thereof thereby to clear the bracket member for access to the operating pin bore.
 4. A tissue dispensing mandrel as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the end fitting includes a stop engaging the pin connecting means to determine the extended position of the journal pin.
 5. A tissue dispensing mandrel as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the yieldable means is a spring having a midportion engaging the pin, coiled intermediate portions and extended portions anchored in the fitting.
 6. A tissue dispensing mandrel, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the slide member including the pins and connecting means is a J-shaped rod.
 7. The combination with a bracket member having parallel arms and aligned bearing sockets, of a toilet tissue dispensing mandrel, comprising: a. a sleeve extending between the bracket arms; b. means journalling one end of the sleeve in one of the bearing sockets; c. an end fitting for the other end of the sleeve including a guide bore disposed in alignment with the journal means; d. a slide member including a journal pin slidable in the guide bore and means offset from the axis of the journal pin and accessible from the exterior of the mandrel for moving the journal pin between an extended position for reception in the other bearing socket to define the axis of rotation of the fitting and sleeve, and a retracted position clearing the bearing socket to permit removal and replacement of the mandrel; e. and yieldable means for urging the slide member in a direction to extend the journal pin. 